Flexible diaphragm for fluid clutches



June 2, 1953 l v. K. ATKINS A FLEXIBLE DIAPl-RAGM FOR FLUI CLUTCHES Filed March 22, 1950 s' sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR.

June 2, 1953 v. K. ATKlNs FLEXIBLE DIAPHRAGM FOR FLUID CLUTCHES Filed March 22, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

@MS2 @has AnjoRNEY June 2,*1953 v. K. ATKlNs 2,640,499

FLEXIBLE DIAPHRAGM FOR FLUID CLUTCHES Filed March 22, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 wig-; ""P

INVENToR.

Patented `une 2, 1953 amos iin-Einem amrnmemroarwm GLUTCHES;

invention.. relates.. to. improvements. in clutches. and.V comprehends an improvement'. in theclutch structure. shown in applicationeral No. 812,195', led:.Marchl8, 1949,v in thenamelofl Carll'ln. Schou. In thepri'or application aforementicned,v each clutch. mechanism included a pair offmesilient. concaveannularpressure plates or. diaphragms.` which. are. connected andsealed at .theirmarginal edges, the. innermarginaledges beingconnected. a permitting unitishiftingof -thepair otannular plates, Wh-ilefthe outermarginal. edges clampedbetweenrrportionsof the d-.rumflilceY fly-Wheel I structure. C orined betweenthe pressure plates at their outer marginal' edgeslandbetweeasections of the drum y-Wheel are medially. arranged-'partitions `or xed back-ing; plates, oiieJoacliingI plate-extending between each pair.. ofconcave annular pressure pla-tes and-pro-- widingtlaterally; spacedflruid' chambers soY that intro'ductionofl fluid-into either chamberrdefinred 'by` anannularpressure platev and the adjacent faceloj the. medial backing plate will result in a simulta-- neousshiftingofthe two diaphra-gmsl Without deformation.,` theshi-fting being-to a position suffi@ cient'. to .engage Vand operate -an associated clutch pressure. plate.. In. some instances itis desirable to..use..inY lieuv of. metallic diaphragm structures; a. diaphragm/Whichincludes in its structure theaV use ofy a resilient composition in order-toprovide for. an. extremely high fatigueresistance,- a1 though. normally. the life factorv of metallic;` dia-` phragms .oi bronze, berylliumfcopperandfcther. suitable., alloys will be `entirely satisfactory:

It- .isthe object ofthe.instariti-nvention toprovide adiaphragm for-uscio afin-idmotor\.vl/,herein` the...p1ate includesa resilient `rriaterial#which is soutilizedthat it 4alosorlos allfexinga-ndi-inherent Vibration.

Another .obj ect .of '.fthe invention vis to provide av diphragm made .up...of. ltworigid .members l bonded toa.. exible intermediate. member ofa suitable resilient :materialv wherebythe resilient'. part eliminates. the usent return. springs. and]'performs theunction normally.` .performedlby such; return springswhenthe pressureis released;l

Another feature of thelnvention is the corrstruction. of adiaphragm for'usev ina clutch as seinbly.y wherein the' diaphragm includes the-use of. aflexible material to-absorbjthe-lateral motionj andxtorquie.A

Other; fea-tures` of the v.invention xt/illiv more!n clearly hereinafter appear: reference to the accmpanying drawings. and specilicatioo whichlilge charactersloffreference designate corresponding.putain-which: i

Fig. l is a, one-.half Verticali sectional View through-acl-utch assemblyfldisclosmg. one form of the v-inventi'on;

Fig: 2 is af' side elevation ofi one oft' the'dia phragmstructures;

Fig. l3 is'a- Vertical' sectional vieWthrough-a fluid motor structure for use in. clutches-andermabodying the structureot-:loneiorm oi.l thediaphragm. plates.;

Fig.. is.-a verticalifsectionsthrough the preferrednform of diaphragm;

Figi 6?. is.` avertical fragmentary. one-helftt sec-,- tion ot'` a clutch assembly`vl embodying-5a modifie formof diaphragm;

Fig.`r 'Tis 1f-fragmentary. -verticalI iseotionthrough a..uid-motor.striicture embodying asecondlmodi'- Ioation of the-diaphragm structure; and.:

Ilig. SlisaVertical sectionlthrough thatJ type ofv diaphragm shown -invFigiV InJiiglL 11o-f thedrawingsathere is. shown apar-Y tial .fverticalr .sectional View of al clutch assembly whichembodieslv three clutch assemblies,- each-of Whichiswconstructed and v`arranged todrive separateshaftssindicated-.asA, B; and C, theshaft- As being asolidv shaft and.V` being. drive-n from clutch-v asserrifolyD;- while. the otheiL shafts-B and Cf are-hollowarid-concentricallyarranged` about'` thecentral sol-id shaftA andharedriven by clutch assemblies ylill-and-` respectively. As islcorwemtional in-` such clutch asseiriiolies;I 1figid-fbaeki-ng plates .areprovi'dedLmc eacl'r-.ofv the clutches I), I E; andgfFf'; these-.rigid backing.plates-loeingidentified;V by. reference` characters l;- 2f' and; 3;. respectively, and.- areecarried byv the rotating-sectional =drum1 ily-Wheel Gf, Thetsections of. the ywheel'will: beholted together by.. elongatedslzolts.;1%-, as. shown- Eig,Vv 6;. andi: have:- flui-d passages.. 1' i exteridirigsv therethrough: tohfeed :lipids to I. the. separate luid` motors as hereinafter'.descriloeelf.'A In. each1-of1-the clutch.` Yassemblies Delli,y andiF.; pressiireA plates. are providedwhich' are-.indicated .byt reference .char-- a.cters..'8; Sca-nat lyirespectively, these pressure] plates-.being constructed; as...shoxim:moreclearlyJ preside..-relatiizelyvv thick plate-likabodies. Ivlfwithreduced 4marginal peripheral" ortionsatZ, fto pro-- ville-.for the movementoff :the adjacent diaphragm..

ortbol-ts l'lfuwliiclaeextend.throughthediaphragmv plates and through the pressure plates II to vclamp these parts rigidly at their inner marginal edge portions. The outer marginal edge portions of the diaphragm plates are formed with aligned openings Ha for the passage of the clamping bolts 4 during assembly and between the marginal edges of these diaphragms are the rigid partitions I1 which are in the nature of annular disc-like plates having their inner portions I8 deflected slightly so that these partitions normally are slightly diagonal to the vertical and with reference to the inner walls of the diaphragms when the latter are in their normal positions. The inner edges of the partitions I1 are grooved to receive O-rings I9 to form a seal between the inner edges of the partition and the at face of the annular projection I5. By this construction a uid motor is provided which embodies two diaphragme indicated generally by reference characters I-I and J and an intermediate partition I1, and a pressure plate Il, these parts being xed together at their inner marginal edge portions and clamped by the rivets or bolts I6 to the annular projection I5 of the ring structure I4. The outer peripheral edges of the diaphragms H and J are bolted to the flat annular partition Il.

Normally in clutch assemblies of the type in question uid under pressure is introduced into the chambers formed at each side of the partition I'l that is, between each side of the partition I'l and the adjacent faces of the diaphragms, the pressure of the fluid normally introduced being relatively low and constant, and the two chambers at each side of the partition being of the same capacity the parts are retained in equilibrium which comprehends a neutral position of the clutch. In Fig. 1 a iluid passage is shown at K for one side of one of the partitions in one of the motor assemblies, this passage being indicated also in Fig. 2. Similar passages are provided at suitable spaced points for the other side of each of the partitions as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 and indicated by reference character Ka. When one of the motors is to be operated, the static condition maintained by the uid in similar sized chambers and under the same pressure and with the same centrifugal forces present due to the rotation of the assembly, high pressure uid is forced into one of the fluid chambers of one of the motor structures which will cause a flexing of the two diaphragm plates, which flexing will cause a lateral movement of the plates and of the parts connected thereto, including the pressure plates II, urging these pressure plates Il against its associated clutch to complete a clutching operation. When the high pressure uid is released the inherent resiliency of the diaphragms will cause a return of the assembly to its normal position.

As stated above, fluid is contained in each of the chambers at each side of the partition l1, this uid being under low pressure and due to centrifugal forces resulting from the rapid rotation of the unit stabilizes the motor, i. e. the diaphragms H and J and the intermediate partition I1, at a neutral point so that the pressure plate II is slightly separated from the clutch assembly. The application of fluid under pressure through ports such as K as shown in Fig. 1 will unbalance the normal low pressure and move the motor unit and the pressure plate II so that the latter is in contact with the clutch. 'I he application of high pressure to one of the iiuid chambers of the motor causes little disturbance to the fluid in the low pressure side as the movement of the motor is extremely slight and such disturbance as may be caused by high pressure can readily be accommodated on the low pressure side by a reversal in the low pressure line or otherwise.

Referring now to that form of the invention shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5, it will be seen that in the form of the invention shown by these disclosures that each plate is formed of two sections indicated by reference characters 3D and 3|, the hub section 30 being formed with a central opening 32 for seating engagement upon the shoulder 33 (see Figs. 1 and '7) of the ring structure I4. The section 30 is further provided with a plurality of annular rivet or bolt openings 34 and has its outer marginal edge portion 35 flared outwardly a substantial distance. The outer diaphragm section 3l is formed with bolt openings 33 and its inner marginal portion is flared outwardly as at 31, the are forming a marginal portion lying substantially at right angles to the body of the section. The two sections 30 and 3I are relatively spaced and aligned so that the inner section is oiset slightly from the outer section, and when so spaced and aligned provide a pocket area for the reception of a resilient material indicated generally by reference character M, this resilient material forming a connection between the sections 30 and 3| and being bonded thereto throughout the contacting areas of both of the sections. The resilient section M of the diaphragm assembly of the preferred form now being described has its face m inclined to form a continuous dished surface for the inner face of the diaphragm, while the outer face m' of the resilient section of the diaphragm lies iiush with the outer faces of the adjacent flared portions of the sections 30 and 3|v The resilient section M of each of the diaphragms may be formed of any resilient material and the bonding to the adjacent metal sections may be provided by any suitable known method, it being ample that the resilient material be of such construction and being so constructed and arranged as to perform its required function during the application and release of the pressure in the chamber of which it forms a part.

In Fig. 6 a modification is shown in which one of the walls of the diaphragm chamber indicated by reference character N is formed relatively heavy as compared to the companion diaphragm Na, and has its lower peripheral portion oiset as at 40 to provide the inner cylindrical wall for the uid chamber and against which the partition Il cooperates. The offset portion 40 of the diaphragm N is flanged downwardly at 4i to provide an area for the reception of the rivets or bolt fastenings 42 and the marginal edge of the diaphragm N is subsequently flanged in a horizontal plane and parallel to the shoulder 40 and offset with respect thereto to seal the base of the motor structure, this ange 4I further tending to align the parts in assembly and operate as a supporting base for the structure.

Certain compositions or materials which may be used as the resilient element M or the diaphragm assembly may under certain conditions become detached from the metal sections with which it is associated, and accordingly in Figs. 7 and 8 I have illustrated a diaphragm in which the resilient portion M is extended entirely over the inner face of the associated metal parts 30 and 3l, this structure preventing the oil from getting under the coating and between the coating and the metal parts and tending to separate these parts due to the forces which may be present or chemicals which may be involved. The covering of the entire diaphragm as shown may not be practical in that form of the diaphragm structure indicated in Fig. 6 by the reference character N, as the shoulder di) involved in this structure is subjected to movement with respect to the partition I1 and must necessarily comprehend a metal to metal contact. It will be understood that the entire coating of the diaphragm plate with the material forming the resilient portion of the plate is a matter which necessarily Will be determined by the material used and the construction and arrangement of parts which may be associated in an assembly.

It will be understood that the dimensions of the resilient intermediate section M of the dia- I phragm will be directly proportional to the load and torque to which the structure is to be subjected, keeping in mind the fact that the thicl ness of the material must be such as to provide suiiicient resiliency to return the plate to normal position after the application of high pressure to the fluid motor. The cross sectional dimension of the resilient material Will likewise depend upon the composition of the material and its inherent resiliency, and will also depend upon the size of the diaphragm and its predetermined movement for accomplishing the operation of the clutch.

What I claim is:

1. In a fluid motor for use in a clutch assembly, the clutch assembly having a clutch plate and a backing plate, said uid motor including an intermediate fixed Wall, a resilient diaphragm arranged at each side of the xed Wall, said resilient diaphragms extending beyond the edge of said xed wall, a ring-like body interposed between the projecting edges of said diaphragms, said diaphragms being fabricated from metallic sections and interposed rubber sections and being laterally shiftable with respect to the fixed Wall upon the application of fluid pressure, a pressure plate, and means extending through a marginal edge portion of the pressure plate and the projecting edges of said diaphragme and said ring-like body to secure the parts together.

2. The structure of claim 1 characterized in that the intermediate fixed Wall is of disc form with its inner portion deflected laterally with respect to its outer peripheral margin.

3. The structure of claim 1 characterized in that the intermediate fixed wall is of disc form y with its inner portion deflected laterally with respect to its outer peripheral margin, and the diaphragms are secured to said peripheral margin.

4. A exible diaphragm for uid motors, comprising spaced ring portions, the adjacent edges of said ring portions being flared outwardly, and resilient material bonded to and connecting the flared portions of said rings.

5. The structure of claim 4 characterized in that the resilient material forms a continuous inner face for the diaphragm.

6. A flexible diaphragm for fluid motors, comprising a pair of spaced, flat ring portions having laterally projecting adjacent marginal flanges, and resilient material interposed-between the anges and bonded thereto.

7. The structure of claim 6 characterized in that the bonded material extends over a substantial area of the pressure side of the diaphragm.

VICTOR K. A'I'KINS.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 356,997 Gil Feb. l, 1887 1,135,525 Hibbard Apr. 13, 1915 1,748,827 Boltshauser Feb. 25, 1930 2,169,639 Grote Aug. 15, 1939 2,380,983 Mock Aug. 7, 1945 2,439,849 Fawicl: Apr. 20, 1948 

